Prosecutors say Spring woman used her blood as a deadly weapon against nurse

Jay R. Jordan

Published
4:12 pm CDT, Tuesday, May 17, 2016

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Prosecutors say Spring woman used her blood as a deadly weapon against nurse

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Prosecutors believe a hospital patient intentionally bled on a nurse in an attempt to cause harm.

Scheduled for trial Aug. 1, Gretchen Bailey faces up to 20 years in prison a fine not to exceed $10,000 for the March 2015 incident. The 33-year-old is charged with second-degree felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon — her blood.

Bailey was hospitalized with a contagious staph infection, according to court records, when she and her husband reportedly became irate.

Bailey was receiving medicine from an IV when she got up and walked out of the room into the hallway, court records show. A nurse reportedly warned Bailey that the IV could rip out, which could expose patients and hospital personnel to her infected blood.

Investigators allege Bailey told the nurse she did not care. Police say Bailey then pulled out the IV, charged at the nurse and rubbed her blood on the nurse’s arms.

Bailey’s attorney, John Cossum, said she was not infected with the staph infection at the time of the incident.

“She was in an upset mood based on being ignored for many hours at the hospital and decided she was going to leave based on the service she was getting,” Cossum said. “… There’s also some dispute as to what was said.”

Cossum said he hopes to have the case resolved soon.

Prosecutors in Bailey’s case were unable to be reached for comment.

Bailey will appear before 359th state District Court Judge Kathleen Hamilton June 29 before going on trial.